WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES TWO BLU-RAY(TM) PACKAGING INNOVATIONS OFFERING CONSUMERS MORE VALUE AND PORTABILITY ON THE MOVIES THEY WANT TO SEE

Studio To Begin Offering Blu-ray(TM) Combo Packs On All Theatrical New Release Titles;
Blu-ray Disc, Standard Definition DVD, And Digital Copy All-In-One At No Additional Cost

Also Introducing The Industry’s First Line Of Affordably Priced “Blu-ray Double Features;”
Sets Will Include Two Of Warner’s Top Catalog Hits On Blu-ray Disc

Burbank, Calif. December 16, 2009 - Warner Bros. Home Entertainment today announced two Blu-ray(TM) packaging initiatives that will give consumers greater value and portability when shopping for the best possible way to watch movies at home. Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, Warner Home Video will be releasing its entire Theatrical New Release slate as Blu-ray combo packs, containing a Blu-ray Disc of the film with exclusive special features and exciting BD-Live interactivity, a standard-definition DVD and a Digital Copy of the film.  For no additional cost, Blu-ray combo packs offer consumers significantly more value by merging the unsurpassed quality of Blu-ray with the convenience of being able to watch the film in any format, on just about every playback device.  

Warner Home Video is also launching the industry’s first line of Blu-ray Double Features, priced at $24.98 (SRP). Beginning February 23, the attractively packaged and entry-level priced Blu-ray Double Features pack will include a pair of well-matched catalog hits spanning multiple genres – comedy, action, drama/thriller and horror.  The first wave will include “Dirty Harry” and “Magnum Force” starring Clint Eastwood; “Analyze This” and “Analyze That” starring Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro; “Presumed Innocent” and “Frantic” starring Harrison Ford; “Miss Congeniality” and “Miss Congeniality 2” starring Sandra Bullock; and Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men starring Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.

“When people experience Blu-ray – they love it, and with Blu-ray combo packs on all of our top new releases, we are giving consumers the titles they want without having to sacrifice convenience and portability,” said Ron Sanders, President, Warner Home Video. “And our new Blu-ray Double Feature sets make it easier and more affordable than ever for consumers to build or expand their home movie libraries and discover why Blu-ray is simply the best way to watch movies at home.”

According to third quarter figures compiled by the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG), Blu-ray is on the rise.  In 2009, Blu-ray Disc set-top player sales grew 112 percent over the same period last year and this holiday season consumers are seeing Blu-ray player prices starting around $100, making it that much easier for home audiences to see the films they love the way they were meant to be seen. Blu-ray devices are at the top of many consumers’ holiday wish lists this year are projected to be in 15 million U.S. homes by the end of this year.

Handy Manny's Motorcycle Adventure DVD Review!

You can purchase this fun family title online today!

Synopsis: Chart a course for nonstop fun with Handy Manny s first full-length adventure!
Feel the wind in your hair, and join Manny as he packs up his Tools for an exciting road trip. They re heading out to a fiesta grande Manny s family reunion! But when Pat veers off in search of his own family, Manny s plans take a detour. Can he race to the rescue in time to make it to the party? Filled with new songs, old friends, and an inspiring message, Manny s Motorcycle Adventure shows that when it comes to family, there s always something to celebrate!

Review: I'm always happy to find new Disney releases. I think that parents really struggle to find age-appropriate programming for their little ones. I really dislike shows like Sponge Bob for their mindless humor and violence. When a show like Handy Manny comes along, I have complete confidence that my children aren't destroying their brain cells by tuning in. Therefore, when it gets released on DVD, I stand up and take notice.

Manny Garcia is joined in Sheetrock Hills by his silly tool friends, such as Squeeze the Pliers, Pat the Hammer and Rusty the Monkey Wrench. In this adventure, Manny heads off with his friends to a family reunion. Along the way, a few of them get lost and they have to all find each other and try to get to the reunion on time!

I can't stress enough how much I love this show. When my kids are 10+ I don't mind them watching a little cartoon network, but until then I prefer PBS and Disney programming. I always need more family friendly DVDs. This would be a great stocking stuffer this year for any little one.

BONUS FEATURES
Bonus Episode - A Very Handy Holiday It's the night of Kelly's Winter Holiday Party and Manny and the tools are finishing up their holiday gift making before they go. But when a series of emergency holiday repairs are needed all over town, their celebration plans are threatened and the tools learn that helping others is an even better way to celebrate the holidays.

*A Very Handy Holiday includes 3 fun ways to watch and play using your remote control
1. Fastplay mode – enjoy the movie without using your remote
2. Adventure mode 1 (ages 2-3) – as you watch the movie, use your remote to answer fun
questions about colors, shapes and sizes.
3. Adventure mode 2 (ages 4-5) – move to a higher level with more challenging questions
using your remote.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

Gone With the Wind 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition DVD Review

You can buy this DVD online today

Synopsis: Winner of 10 Academy Awards® including Best Picture, and still history's all time domestic box-office champion ($1.5 billion), Gone with the Wind has long been considered the most celebrated motion picture of all time. On November 17, Warner Home Video (WHV) will honor the romantic epic with a stunningly restored and remastered version, available for the first time on Blu-ray. Gone with the Wind 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collectors Edition is sure to be a must-have for collectors of classic films, available both in Blu-ray as well as on DVD.

Review: The film genre just wouldn't be the same without Gone with the Wind. I didn't get to see the film until I was 17 years old, but when I did, I was instantly enammored by the epic nature of the piece. I was already really into vintage film from a young age. My favorite movie was Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Its not wonder that this twisted love story with Scarlett and Rhet became an instant hit with me.

Ever since I saw the film I've yearned to see a really great quality edition of the film. I purchased a VHS box set back in the day and I picked up the DVD release when it first came out many, many years ago, but I was excited for this new 70th Anniversary edition. It has an all new remastering that I was interested in checking-out. Let me tell you, it doesn't disappoint. The colors really pop in this edition and the backrounds are quite clear. I also noticed a nice improvement in the sound. They had already remastered the film years back, but they rescanned the entire thing with new techology in a higher resolution for this release.

The DVD set is limited in the way of special features. It has an audio commentary by historian Rudy Behlmer that is very interesting and full of great info.

This film remains one of the most romantic epics ever produced. If you've seen the film, you likely enjoy it and this release is the way to go. If you've never seen it, please treat yourself to the original 'Titanic'. This is the greatest and most tragic love story of all time.

Rating: A strong 5 out of 5

Links: http://www.warnervideo.com/gonewiththewind

Margaret Cho: Beautiful DVD Review

You can purchase this DVD online today

Synopsis: Learning to love her luscious self over the past forty years, comedian Margaret Cho realized that the eye of the beholder doesn't hold all the power when it comes to beauty. Our tastes may be groomed by the media, but how we feel about how we look brings our self-image into focus.
Armed with something more potent than lip gloss -- a mouth so shocking and raunchy it should be stamped with a warning. Cho toured America with her manifesto: "This show is really about how we should feel beautiful,"" says Cho. When you feel beautiful, you're going to have more of a willingness to use your voice to speak.

Shot at the Long Beach Terrace Theater, Cho's latest stand-up concert film, Beautiful, explores the good, bad, and downright ugly in beauty, and the unattractive politicians and marketers who shape our world.

Review: If you are familiar with the comedy of Margaret Cho, then there isn't much that I can
tell you about her 'Beautiful' show that you wouldn't already suspect. Its full of fantasticly controvertial humor ranging from political to socio to plain old vulgar.

Cho is one of the funniest female comedians that has ever graced the stage. Her take on the gay community, on her ethnic heritage and US politics are all refereshing and hilarious. This stand-up DVD is 86 minutes long and was shot at the Long Beach theater. It doesn't include any extras, with the exception of some behind the scenes footage.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Kevin Smith Blu-Ray Box Set Review!

The Negotiator Blu-Ray Review














You can purchase this blu-ray disc today!

Synopsis: Maverick hostage negotiator Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) is framed for embezzlement and murder. Just married and unjustly faced with prison, Roman turns hostage-taker to smoke out the guilty ones. Squaring off against him is respected, methodical negotiator Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey). F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job, Be Cool) directs a top ensemble cast (including David Morse and J.J. Walsh) in a story honed with spiraling tension and volatile action – and unfolding via a dazzling series of twists and gambits.

Review: I remember when the Negotiator came out 11 years ago. It was a time when Kevin Spacey wasn’t quite as established in off-color films. Its a rare chance to see him do a rather conventional action-suspense film. We’re big fans of Spacey around the DVD Legion offices, so we were anxious to see this film in high-definition.

The film is basically a mystery thriller the first time you watch it. Samuel L. Jackson is hoping that Kevin Spacey can help him figure out who in his department is framing him before its too late. The film has a great script, its well-paced and full of great edits. It keeps you on the edge of your seat most of the time. Even after subsequent viewings and knowing the mystery, its still fun to watch.

The blu-ray transfer is fantastic. Its quite clear and crisp, no noticable scratches or dust. I didn’t really even notice any soft spots in the film. Special Features on the blu-ray include: The 11th Hour: Stories from Real Negotiators Featurette, On Location Making-Of Featurette and Original Theatrical Trailer.

We highly recommend this film to anyone that is into action, suspsense or thriller mysteries. Its a great ride!

Rating: 5 Stars

Links: http://www.warnerblu.com/